Electric turret-operating mechanism.



No. 773,950. PATENTED NOV. 1, 1904.

0. P. LOOMIS.

ELECTRIC TURRBT OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 16, 1903.

. 1 2 SHEETS-SHEET l. 54

N0 MODEL.

"' CIRCUIT BREAKER ammo jHl/NTFIELD 5W3 .56 [55' pl i/bwases: 57 I 1M62110) a Q 4 (gm/rig No. 773,950. PATENTED NOV. 1, 1904.

0. P. LOOMIS.

ELECTRIC TURRET OPERATING MECHANISM.

1 APPLICATION FILED DEG-16, 1903- N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Jliys.

UNTTED STATES Patented November 1, 1904.

I PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC TURRET-OPERATING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 773,950, dated November1, 1904. Application filed December 16, 1903., Serial No. 185.389. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, OsBoRN P. LOOMIS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newport News, in the county of Warwick and State ofVirginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectricTurret-Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This mechanism is designed to rotate the turrets of war vessels at avariable speed ranging from the low speed requisite for the sighting ofthe guns through intermediate steps to a relatively high speed.

The preferred mechanism, comprises two electric motors, sets of low andhigh speed gears and electromagnetic clutches interposed between theshaft of each motor and the turret-driving shaft, an electric controllerwith segments for reversing and varying the speed of the motors forbraking the motors by short-circuiting their armatures through a lowresistance and for energizing the clutch of either set of gears, andrheostats for varying the electric current supplied to the clutches' Theclutch of the low-speed gears preferably has two windings, which arenormally coupled in series, but may be thrown in parallel by a suitableswitch when an especially great tractive effect is necessary.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic viewof the motors, clutches, controller, rheostats, and switches, showingthe electric circuits. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the electric motors,gears, and clutches; and Figs. 3 and 1 are 'side elevations of the setsof high and low speed gears, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 2, each of the electric motors 1 lhas a shaft 2 2,which carries the driving-pinions of the sets of high and low speedgears. The gear and clutch mechanism of the two motors being identical,that of the upper motor only will be described in detail. The set ofhigh-speed gears (shown in Fig. 3) comprises a pinion 3, keyed on themotor-shaft 2, an idler 5, and a spur-gear 6,

' revolubly supported on the turret-driving shaft 7. The set oflow-speed gears comprises a pinion 4:, keyed on the motor-shaft 2 andmeshing with a spur-gear 8, keyed on a counter-shaft 9, and a pinion 10,also keyed on the shaft 9 and engaging a spur-gear 11, revolublysupported on the turret-driving shaft 7. The electromagnetic clutches 1213 are keyed on the shaft 7 between the spurgears 11 6, the clutch 12causing the spur 11 to rotate with the shaft 7 and the clutch 13 causingthe spur 6 to rotate with this shaft. The clutches 12 13 may be of anywell-known construction; but the clutch 12 of the lowspeed gearspreferably has two independent windings, the ends of which are carriedout to two pairs of terminal rings 14: 15, respectively. The terminalsof the clutch 13 are carried out to a pair of rings 16. Theturretdriving shafts 7 7 of the two motors are preferably gearedtogether by the bevel-gears 25 25.

Referring to Fig. 1, one of the mains, 18, of the dynamo 17, whichsupplies current, is carried through a circuit-breaker 19 to the tinger20 of the controller 21. The other main, 22, of the dynamo leads to theseries field 23 23' of the motors and thence through the blow-out coil24 to the finger 34 of the con troller. Shunt connections 26 27 leadfrom the mains 18 22 through switches 28 29 to the shunt-fields 30 30 ofthe motors. The cylinder of the controller 21 carries a long segment 31,which remains in contact with the finger 20 in all positions. It alsocarries a set of eight short segments 32 to 32 which are connected toeach other and to the segment 31, and a similar set ofreversing-segments 33 to 33. The segments 32 or 33 of each set areadapted to successively contact with fingers 3 1 to 34, which areconnected to successive sections of the controllerrheostat 35. Theterminal linger 34B of the rheostat is connected to a finger 3 1, withwhich a long segment 33 normally contacts when the controller is in itsinoperative position. The segment 33 has a permanent connection 37 witha similar long segment 33' which bears on afinger 3 1 when thecontroller is thrown off. Beneath the segment 33 is a pair of somewhatshorter segments 33 33 which have a permanent connection 38. Beneath thesegment 32 is a pair of long segments 32 32 which have a permanentconnection 39, and another pair of long segments 32" to 32 which have apermanentconnection -10. The segment 32 has an offset portion at itsinner end which bears on a finger il when the controller is in itsinoperative position, as well as on the linger 3 1'. The finger 411 isconnected to the lower part of the rheostat 35 by a wire 12. finger 34:through the ammeters 1 1 eta and main switches 15 to the armatures ofthe motors 1 1, from which return-cables 16 lead to thecontroller-finger 3 1- Above the controller-segment 31 and connectedthereto is a somewhat shorter centrally-arranged section 17, which bearson a finger 18. Above the segment 17 is a short central segment 19,which can be thrown into contact with either of the fingers 5O 50 at theright and left, respectively. A cable 51 leads from the finger 18through a variable resistance 52 to the upper terminal rings 15 15 ofthe clutches 12 12. The lower rings 15 15 are connected to the left-handarms of the switches 53 53, which normally bear on the firstcontact-points. The second contacts of these switches are connected tothe lower terminal rings 1 1 11 16 16 of both clutches 12 12 and 13 13.The first contact of each of these switches is connected to the thirdcontact, and the fourth contact of each is connected to the cable 51.The right hand arm of each of the switches 53 53 is connected to theupper rings 11 1 1. A cable 54 leads from the controller-fingers 5O 50through a variable resistance 55 to the upper rings 16 16. Cables 56 56lead from the lower rings 16 16, respectively, through switches 57 57'to the shunt connection 27 of the supply-main 22. hen the controller isin the position shown in Fig. 1, the armatures of the motors areshort-circuited by the connection 12 through the lower part of therheostat This short circuit tends to prevent any accidental movement ofthe motor-shafts and is equivalent to a mechanical brake. 'VV hen it isdesired to rotate the turret, the controller-cylinder is turned to brinthe segments 32 or 33 in contact with the fingers 3 1, according to thedesired direction of rotation. Assuming that the cylinder is turned tobring the segments 32 successively upon the fingers 31, the current fromthe dynamo reaching the controller through the main 18 and finger 2O\vill'pass first through the segments 31 32, the finger 34*, and theentire rheostat and successively through smaller portions thereof untilthe segment 32 contacts with the finger 31, whereupon the current willpass directly from the segment 31 through the short segments 32 to thefinger 31" and thence to the finger 3 1. I pleted through the segments32', connection 39, segment 32", finger 3 1 cables 13 a6, fin ger 31",segment 32", connection 10, segment 32, and finger 3%, returning throughthe series fields to the main 22. The motors will A cable 13 leads fromthe i The armature-circuits will then be comthereby be gradually broughtto full speed. \Vhen the controller and the clutch-switches 53 and 5 55o o are in the position shown in E Fig. 1, the current will pass throughthe coni troller-finger and segment 31 to the segl ment +17 and thencethrough the finger 18 and 1 cable 51 andv through one of the windings ofl the clutches 12 12, thence through the switches 53 53, through theother winding of the clutches 12 12, and back through the connection 27to the dynamo. The set of low-speed gears will thereby be clutched tothe turretdriving shaft, the turret thus being set in rotation with aspeed which increases as successive portions of the controller-rheostatare cut out. \Vhen the rheostat 35 is entirely cut out by bringing thesegment 32 on the finger 31, the segment 17 leaves the finger 18 and thesegment 19 makes contact with the finger thereby diverting current fromthe clutches 12 12 to the clutches 13 13 and clutching the high-speedgears to the turret-driving shaft, rotating the turret at its maximumspeed. The switches 53 53 when thrown from the left to the right connectthe two windings of each of the low-speed clutches 12 12 in parallelinstead of in series, thereby greatly increasing their tractive effect.This parallel connection is usually unnecessary, being em ployed whenthe turret offers an unusual resistance to rotation either by reason ofthe inclination of the ship or disarrangement of the turret.

The resistance 52 in the slow-speed clutchcireuit also serves as a meansfor increasing the tractive effect of the clutches 12 12 and may be usedin lieu of or in addition to the switches 53 53-. The arm of thisrheostat is normally set to throw the entire resistance into circuit,and portions of the resistance are cut out as it becomes necessary toincrease the power of the clutches. The similar resistance 55 in thehigh-speed-clutch circuit is useful to regulate the current supplied tothe clutches 13 13.

The provision of clutches on the driven shaft instead of the motor-shaftaffords the important advantage that the low-speed gears always run atthe same rate relative to that of the motor-shaft. WVhen the clutchesare placed on the motor-shaft, as is customary, and the high-speed gearsare thrown into operation, the low-speed gears are rotated at anabnormally high rate of speed by the driven shaft with loss of power andexcessive noise.

A shunt-wound motor maybe employed, but a compound-wound one ispreferable to secure greater torque when the high-speed clutch is throwninto circuit. It will be noted that the series field-coils are connectedin series to give the same field in both motors.

\Vhile this mechanism is especially adapted for the operation ofgun-turrets, it is obvious that it is suited for many other uses,especially for machinery having heavy moving parts and the operation ofwhich is intermittent.

I claim- 1. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising anelectric motor having a drivingshaft, a driven shaft, a set of gearsincluding a pinion fixed on said driving-shaft and a gear revolublysupported on said driven shaft, an electromagnetic clutch on said drivenshaft in operative relation to said gear, and a motor-controller havingcontacts for energizing said clutch, as set forth.

2. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising an electric motorhaving a drivingshaft, a driven shaft, sets of low and high speed gears,each including a pinion fixed on said driving-shaft and a gear revoluhlysupported on said driven shaft, electromagnetic clutches on said drivenshaft in operative relation to said gears, and a motor-controller havingcontacts for energizing either of said clutches, as set forth.

3. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising an electric motorhaving a drivingshaft, a driven shaft, sets of low and high speed gears,each including a pinion fixed on said driving-shaft and a gear revolublysupported on said driven shaft, electromagnetic clutches on said drivenshaft in operative relation to said gears, and a reversingmotorcontroller having contacts for successively energizing the low andhigh speed clutches when the controller is operated to rotate the motorin either direction, as set forth.

4:. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising a motor having adriving-shaft, a driven shaft, a set of gears including a pinion on saiddriving-shaft and, a gear on said driven shaft, an electromagneticclutch for said gears having separate windings, and a switch forcoupling said windings either in parallel or in series, as set forth.

5. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising an electric motorhaving adrivingshaft, a driven shaft, a set of gears including a pinionfixed on said driving-shaft and a gear revolubly supported on saiddriven shaft, an electromagnetic clutch on said driven shaft inoperative relation to said gear, said clutch having separate windings,and a switch for coupling said windings either in parallel or in series,as set forth.

6. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising an electric motorhaving a drivingshaft, a driven shaft, sets of low and high speed gears,each including a pinion fixed on said driving-shaft and a gear revolublysupported on said driven shaft, electromagnetic clutches on said drivenshaft in operative relation to said gears, the low-speed clutch havingseparate windings, and a switch for coupling said windings in parallelor in series, as set forth.

7. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising a motor having adriving-shaft, a

driven shaft, a set of gears including a pinion on said driving-shaftand a gear on said driven shaft, an electromagnetic clutch for saidgears having separate windings, a switch for coupling said windingseither in parallel or in series, a resistance normally interposed in thecircuit of said clutch, and means for cutting out said resistance asrequired, as set forth.

8. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising an electric motorhaving a driving-shaft, a driven shaft, sets of low and high speedgears, each including a pinion fixed on said driving-shaft and a gearrevolubly supported on said driven shaft, electromagnetic clutches onsaid driven shaft in operative relation to said gears, a resistancenormally interposed in the circuit of the low-speed clutch, and meansfor cutting out said resistance as required, as set forth.

9. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising an electric motorhaving a driving-shaft, a driven shaft, sets of low and high speedgears, each including a pinion fixed on said driving-shaft and a gearrevolubly supported on said driven shaft, electromagnetic clutches onsaid driven shaft in operative relation to said gears, a resistancenormally interposed in the circuit of each clutch, and means for cuttingout said resistances as required, as set forth.

10. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising an electric motorhaving a driving-shaft, a driven shaft, sets of low and high speedgears, each including a pinion fixed on said driving-shaft and a gearrevolu- 'bly supported on said driven shaft, electromagnetic clutches onsaid driven shaft in operative relation to said gears, the low-speedclutch having separate windings, a switch for coupling said windings inparallel or in series, a resistance normally interposed in the circuitof the low-speed clutch, and means for cutting out said resistance asrequired, as set forth.

11. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising an electric motorhaving a drivingshaft, a driven shaft, a set of gears including a pinionfixed on said driving-shaft and a gear revolubly. supported on saiddriven shaft, an electromagnetic clutch on said driven shaft inoperative relation to said gear, a motor-rheostat, and amotor-controller having contacts for short-circuiting the motor-armaturethrough a portion of said resistance when the current is cut off, as setforth.

12. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising an electric motorhaving a driving-shaft, a driven shaft, sets of low and high speedgears, each including a pinion fixed on said driving-shaft and a gearrevoluloly supported on said driven shaft, electromagnetic clutches onsaid driven shaft in operative relation to said gears, a motor-rheostat,and a motor-controller having contacts for shortcircuiting themotor-armature through a portion of said resistance when the current iscut on, as set forth.

13. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising electric motors,each having shunt and series fieldwindings, the series windings of themotors being in series, as set forth.

14. An electric turret-operating mechanism, comprising electric motors,each having shunt and series field windings, the series windings of themotors being in series, sets

